Titanium compounds and plant growth

Abstract

The effect of titanium compounds on the growth of tomato plants, Lycopersicum esculentum (cultivar Floridade), was studied under greenhouse conditions. Aqueous suspensions (TiO2) and solutions (complexes of titanium (IV) with L(+)-ascorbic acid and oxalic acid) were applied as foliar sprays and soil treatments. A new compound of titanium (IV) with L(+)-ascorbic acid was prepared and characterised. Some titanium compounds appeared to enhance some growth parameters in some instances, but titanium did not consistently result in improved growth or increased nitrogen concentration within the plants. Titanium uptake was also monitored and established by means of PIXE measurements on plant tissue.